test-driven-development

Test-driven development prevents regressions by mandating the creation of failing tests prior to writing production code. This process catches bugs early and verifies behavior before implementation.

To implement the Red-Green-Refactor cycle, you first write a failing test for the new feature, then write the minimum production code to make it pass, and finally refactor the code while ensuring tests remain green.

You should write tests first whenever developing new features like user authentication. Writing tests for valid inputs and edge cases before implementing logic prevents bugs and ensures code quality from the start.

Applying TDD to debugging involves writing a test that reproduces the bug before fixing the code. This strict testing protocol verifies the behavior and prevents the same regression from occurring later.

Strict test-driven development requires adherence to rigorous protocols, which may slow down initial development speed. It mandates writing comprehensive tests first, which can be a barrier for rapid prototyping or exploratory coding.